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Episode 431 – Ghost Robot – CEO Zach Mortensen & CCO Mark DePace
Ghost Robot is the creative studio of the future based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. They work with a global community of artistic talent to create content for forward thinking clients.
Ghost Robot was founded in 2002 by Zachary Mortensen. The company derived its name from the theme of a music video Ghost Robot was producing at the time. The video was for the song “In The Waiting Line” by the band Zero7. “In The Waiting Line” was the first commercial use of machinima using the animation engine from the Quake video game.
In 2005 Mark DePace joined the company as a full partner and spearheaded the formation of the company’s roster of directors for commercial representation. The addition of DePace repositioned the company within the industry and began their official move into advertising and commercial production.
In this Podcast, Allan McKay interviews Ghost Robot’s CEO Zach Mortensen and COO Mark DePace about the inspiration behind launching Ghost Robot and its name; how keeping track of latest innovations is imbedded into their foundation; working on indie films versus blockbusters; the value of giving yourself creative constraints when it comes to resources; how AI is getting integrated into artists’ workflow – and so much more!
Ghost Robot Website: https://ghostrobot.com
Mark DePace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/depaceofbase/
Zach Mortensen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmortensen/
EPISODE 431 – GHOST ROBOT – CEO ZACH MORTENSEN & CCO MARK DEPACE
Hi, everyone!
This is Allan McKay. Welcome to Episode 431!
I’m interviewing Ghost Robot’s CEO Zach Mortensen and COO Mark DePace. We talk about:
- The inspiration behind launching Ghost Robot – and its name;
- How keeping track of latest innovations is imbedded into the founding of the company;
- Working on indie films versus blockbusters;
- The value of giving yourself creative constraints when it comes to resources;
- The practical benefits of using LED stages, including for photorealistic projects;
- How AI is getting integrated into VFX pipelines;
- Developing their own IP and game called Space Hoppers;
- The importance of building your VFX community and giving back to it.
Please take a moment to share this Episode with others.
Let’s dive in!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM ALLAN McKAY:
[42:07] One of the biggest problems we face as artists is figuring out how much we’re worth. I’ve put together a website. Check it out: www.VFXRates.com! This is a chance for you to put in your level of experience, your discipline, your location — and it will give you an accurate idea what you and everyone else in your discipline should be charging. Check it out: www.VFXRates.com.
Okay, what did you think? I want to thank Zach and Mark for joining the Podcast.
Next week, I’m interviewing the Executive VP of ReDefine Eric J. Robertson.
I’ll be back next week. Until then –
Rock on!
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